Netherlands takes delivery of JDEAL
The Netherlands has taken delivery of the new Joint Deployable Exploitation and Analysis Laboratory (JDEAL) in Soesterberg, it was announced on 24 February. The lab - a critical tool in the fight against the persistent IED threat - is now ready to deploy in counter-IED operations on the request of the JDEAL contributing members.
The European Defence Agency (EDA) financed the JDEAL, with Netherlands as the lead nation.
JDEAL uses knowledge and equipment gained from the EDA-developed counter-IED technical exploitation laboratory previously deployed in Kabul, Afghanistan.
The work of the laboratory covers the entire spectrum of technical IED exploitation. These include chemical analysis; document and media recovery (focused on mobile phones often used as IED triggering devices); electrical circuitry (primarily radio parts); biometric analysis (latent finger print recovery); technical exploitation reporting; detailed visual examination and high quality image capture; mechanical exploitation as well as other materiel exploitation.
Geert-Jan Verkoeijen, manager, Soesterberg, JDEAL, said: ‘JDEAL has proven to be a good example for how cooperation between European nations can be arranged. The gained experience so far shows that it takes time to change, adapt current approaches, doctrines and even processes on (C-IED) technical exploitation.’
More from Defence Notes
-
Rheinmetall sales up by almost a quarter on wave of German spending
Germany’s Rheinmetall released its 1H 2025 results on 7 August, continuing the strong growth of recent years. A particular highlight of the result’s presentation was the Skyranger air defence system for which the company is predicting sales of about US$8.2 billion from the German Government before the end of the year.
-
Defence companies continue to ride procurement wave
Vehicle and technology companies are reporting substantial growth compared to the first half of 2024. Italy’s Fincantieri saw revenues jump 24% for the first half of the year compared to 2024 and Thales up 6.8% for the same period. General Dynamics reported second quarter revenue growth of 8.9% for the second quarter compared to last year and MilDef reported organic order intake growth of 58%.
-
Singapore plots a way forward with new technology and formation reform
Singapore spends about 3.5% of GDP on defence and the section’s budget sits on high on the proportion of national spending. The country is investing in uncrewed technology, medium- and long-range fires and new submarines and ships with the hunt also on for new maritime patrol aircraft.
-
World Defense Show promises bigger and better event for 2026
At this year's IDEF in Istanbul, Shephard spoke to World Defense Show (WDS) CEO Andrew Pearcey about his event's strategic role in Saudi Arabia, its themes and new features for 2026 and how it has grown since its launch in 2022.